Harry ward leonard and augustus hanson



H. W. LEONARD & A. HANSON. SYSTEM OF ELECTRIC LIGHTING FOR RAILWAY (BARS.

(No Model.)

No. 405,897. Patented June 25,1889.

NW EE E T 1.8

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY WVARD LEONARD AND AUGUSTUS HANSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; SAID HANSON ASSIGNOR TO SAID LEONARD.

SYSTEM OF ELECTRIC LIGHTING FOR RAILWAY-CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 405,897, dated June 25, 1889.

Application filed January 31,- 1889. Serial No. 298,187- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, HARRY IVARD LEON- ARD and AUGUSTUS HANSON, citizens of the United States, and residents of Chicago,county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Systems of Electric Lighting, for Movable Cars, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to means and apparatus for lighting by electricity the cars of moving trains, and has for its object to provide convenient means therefor.

Our invention is illustrated. in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a diagrammatic view of a train of cars containing our improvement. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the coupling-block and one coupling-piece. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the same. Fig. 4 is a detail of the coupler containing the two coupling-pieces and cable or connecting conductors or wires. Fig. 5 is a detailed diagrammatic view showing the carconductorsarranged so that their terminals issue at the ends of the cars in such manner as to form a square, as shown,in which event it will be observed that the wires 1 and 4. will not require to be crossed, while wires 2 and 3 must be crossed. Fig. (I is a similar diagrammatic view with the terminals issuing. in a vertical line, in which case none of the wires will have to be crossed.

Like parts are indicated by the same letter in all the figures.

A is a baggage-ear; cars.

C is a generator having the brush C, from which the current passes onto the conductor C from which lead the two branches C and C*. These branches contain the ampere-meters C and C and C contains the switch C Atone terminal of the wire C is the switch C adapted to make connection through the variable resistance C with the branch conductor C. The branch conductors C' and C and the conductor C 1 term together the compound conductor. The switch C is also adapted to engage the block C on the conductor C, which leads to the branch conductor C.

D is the other brush, by which the current B B, the passenger-- returns connected with the conductor D, which contains the switch D E is a return-wire, which is connected to the voltmeter F, from which connections lead to the switch G, which is adapted to connect with either of the branch wires C or C as shown in Fig. 1, by bringing it into engagement with either block G or block G To the branch conductor C are coupled the storage-batteries II and II by the conductors H and H respectively. From the other end of the battery II leads the conductor J, through the ampere-meter J, switch J and variable resistance J to the return-conductor E. In like manner from the end of the battery H leads the conductor K, throughampere-meter K, s ,vitch K and variable resistance K to the return-conductor E.

From the branch C of the compound conductor lead the connectors L L to the lamps L L,thence to the return-conductor E. The switch G is normally closed, as shown in Fig. 1, and is used to connect conductor E with the conductors C and C through the voltmeter to indicate the pressure.

The several conductors leading from end to end of the car are called the car-conductors, and they are twisted or crossed some where in the car, as at P, so as to bring the terminals of each upon opposite sides of the others at the opposite ends of the cars.

The object of the variable resistance C is to enable the operator to send currents of varying Strength into the lamps and the bat-teries at the same time, and the object of the switch C and block C is to enable the operator to couple the conductors C and C together in the baggage-car, so as to enablet-he battery to supply the lamps when the generator is out of circuit. Itmight be dispensed with. The automatic switch D is to cause the connection through the generator to be broken when the voltage of the generator is less than that of the battery. The couplingblock M composed of the base M and cover M and containing contact-elamps M insulated from each other, as indicated, is placed on the inside of the outerpendent edge of the vestibule or platform, and the oar-conductors I are connected therewith in the order indi= cated in Fig. 2, as seen when looking out of the car. From each of these eontaet-cla1nps project the contact-plates N N, and from the two which are attached to conductors (J and C project the spring eontact plates O O,normally in contact when the coupler is not in place. There is one of these coupling-blocks on each end of each car, and the coupling proper consists of two lac-siinile couplingpieces R R, having each a series of insulated clamping-blocks S S, secured in the case S and provided each with. an aperture and clamping-screws S i to secure the conductors, which form part of said coupler, and also the projecting contact-plates 'l. T.

U U are contact-plates normally in contact when the coupler is detached, and which connect such blocks S S as are intended to form connection with the conductors E and D.

R It are clamping-screws on the block.

R is an insulation-plate adapted to separate the contact-plates U U, and R is an in.- sulation-plate projecting from the coi'lplingpiece R and adapted to separate the spring contact plates O O. The conductors of the coupling-piece are thus twisted, as indicated in Fig. at.

The use and operation of our invention are as follows: \Vhen the cars are coupled to gether, as indicated in Fig. 1, the couplingblock being fixed upon the inner side of the outer pendent edge of the vestibule of each car, so as to be seen, as shown in Fig. 2, when looking from the car, and a coupler having been inserted between the adjacent cars similar to and in a position similar to that suggested in Fig. 2, and the switches being placed as shown in full lines, except switch 0 which should engage the varying resistance, and the generator being in operation, a current will pass from the generator through conductor 0 switch 0", ampere-meter (1, conductor C, through the various intervening couplingpieces, as follows: block M, contact-plates N N, contactplate'l, block S; thence through the coupler to O in the next car; thence along eonduetorO; thence a portion through conductor H battery 11, ampere-meter J, conductor J, switch J resistance J return-wire E, to the end of: the train, to block M contact-plates N, contact-plate T, block S; thence through the last coupler on the rear of the last car, through the contact-plates U U,normally in contact, back along conductor I), through. the various cars and couplers, to the dynamo whereby the battery is fed and stored. If, now, it is desired while theprocess of storing the battery is going on to feed the lamps from the generator, the switch 0 is placed H upon the resistance 0, so thata-currentfrom thence will pass through ampere-meter G, conductor C", through the various intervening couplings, to conductor L, lamps L, back to conductor E thence through the linal. coupling, as last above described, and thence through conductor D to the generator. By properly locating the switch C with reference to the variable resistance 0, a suitable cur rent may be supplied to the lamps, while a much stronger current may be supplied to the battery. 13y properly adjusting the switch O on resistance 0 and regulating the pressure of the generator the pressure on the batteries and lamps may be varied relative to each other, so that the current taken by batteries and lamps may be indepeiulently varied, as described. The lamps might be run alone without the battery by disconnecting the switch C from line C and connecting it to block O The switch during the operation of the dynamo, is normally in the position shown, indicating the pressure on the lan'lp-circuit. hen, however, it is desired to test the electro-motive force between E and C, it may be done by throwing the ".llCli against block G. When the dynamo is disconnected by the opening ol. the automatic switch D the lamps will be ted from the storage-battery, fora current passes from battery ll, through ampere-meter J, conductor J', switch J resistance J,co1ull.1etor], to lamps L, by conductor L to conductor 0", through ampere-meter C, resistance 0", switch 0 conductor C switch C ,a1npere-metcr C" on conductor 0, back to conductor ll, to battery. \Vhen the conductors C and C" are connected in the baggage-car, the two :unpere-meters are in series in line with the battery and lights.

hen a car is entirely detached from all others and with the coupling removed at one end, by an examination of liig. 2 seen that the conductors C and. U will be connected at such end of the car by the contacts O 0; hence the lamps on such cararc in this instance run from the battery in such car. The rear coupler must be retained when the lamps are being lighted from the dynamo.

It is evident, of course, that one or more of the storage-batteries might be dispensed with, and that, in fact, one in the baggage'car or one in any other car could in some instances answer for all purposes. It equally elea r that, so far as the compound eonifluctor is concerned, in many instances substai'itially the same results could be attained by placing the resistance at the end of the train or car and connecting the two coi'iductors C and C through the same. The return-loop is virtually nothing Ino're nor less than the main con ductor passing from that car, and should be so considered in. regarding the claims. The arrangement of the terminals has been suggested as being in a horizontal line. ()1? course, it these terminals were arranged in a vertical. line or in a circle or otherwise at the end of the car, some or all of them would be situated so that the twist or crossing would be unnecessary.

The essential object sought to be obtained by crossing the wires, or by such. arrangements as suggested when the crossing is dispenstul with, is to arrange the cars and couple rs so that no mistakes could be made in coupling them.

it will. be

ductors in the couplers.

A point from which to observe the terminals of the car-conductors, so as to bring them into the relative positions referred .to in the claims, would be outside at one end and in the line of the length of the car.

WVith several sets of storage-batteries operating in multiple arc the total charging or discharging current does not in practice divide proportionately among the several sets of batteries. It is essential for best results that this should be accomplished, and for the purpose of equalizing the current in the different batteries, both in charge and discharge, we insert avariable resistance in series with each group of storage-batteries. In the drawings this resistance-is shown at one end of the series of cells composing a set of batteries; but of course it could be placed in any portion of the battery-circuit as long as it is in series with the battery.

\Ve claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The combination of a car with a series of conductors therealong so arranged that the terminal of each is on, opposite sides of each of the other terminals at the two ends of the car.

2. The combination of a car with a series of conductors therealong, two of which together constitute, when in action, a return-loop, said conductors so arranged that the terminals of the twoconductors forming the loop have opposite relative position with reference to the remaining conductor-terminals at each end of the car.

3. The combination of a series of cars with conductor-terminals in one car are connected each with oppositely-located cond uctor-t-erminals 011 the adjacent can I 4. The combination ot a series of cars with a series of conductors there-along so arranged that the terminal of each is on opposite sides of each of the other terminals at the two ends of the car, and a connector provided with wires so arranged that the conductors of one car are connected each with the oppositely-arranged conductors on the adjacent car.

5. In a system of electric lighting for cars, a connector to couple adjacent cars, consisting of two similar coupling-pieces, having a series of terminals and crossed wires leading from one to the other, and coupling-blocks having each a series of terminals.

6. In an electric-lighting system for cars, the combination of cars and conductors with coupling-blocks at each end of each car containing two terminals normally in contact, so as with their conductors to make a returnloop closed at such coupling-block, and two terminals normally not in contact with a coupler adapted to open such loop and connect all the terminals with the terminals of the coupler.

7 In an electric-lighting system for cars, a coupler provided with two similar couplingpieces and connecting-wires, each piece having two terminals normally in contact and two normally not in contact, in combination with a coupling-block containing the terminals of the car-conductors, said closed terminals on the coupler adapted to be opened and connected with terminals in the coupling-block when the two arebrought together.

S. In an electric-lighting system for cars, a coupler provided with two similar couplingpieces and connecting-wires, each piece hav ing two terminals normally in contact and two normally not in contact, in combination with a coupling-block containing the terminals of the car-conductors, two of which are normally in contact, and contact-breaking plates on the block and the coupling-piece, so that when interlocked such connected terminals are separated.

9. In an electric1ighting system for cars, the combination of the cars, conductors, and coupling-blocl s which contain the terminals of such conductors, two of said terminals normally in contact and two normally not in contact, with a coupler consisting of couplingpieces and connecting-wires, said pieces containing the terminals of said wires, and two of such terminals normallyin contact and two normally not in contact, and contact-breakers, one on the block and one on each couplingpiece, so that when the block and pieces are interlocked all of such closed terminals are opened and each car-conductor is connected with its respective coupler-wire.

10. In an electric-lighting system for cars, the combination of cars and their conductors withcoupling-blocks, one at each end of each car, containing the terminals of such cond'uctors,' two of such terminals normally in conta'ct 'and two normally not in contact, with a coupler consisting of two coupling-pieces and connecting-wires, the terminals of such wires in such coupling-pieces, and two at each end normally in contact and two normally not in contact, and one contact-breaker on each block and each piece. I

11. In an electric-lighting system for cars, the combination of a generator with a main conductor leading from one pole,a compound conductor leading from the other, storage-batteries, and lamps, as required for the cars, said batteriescoupled between the main and one branch of the compound conductor, and the lamps between the main and the other branch of the compound conductor.

12. In an electric-lighting system for cars, the combination of a generator with a main conductor leading from'one pole, a compound conductor leading from the other, storagebatt-eries having a variable resistance in series with each set, should more than one set be used, and lamps, as required for the cars,

said batteries coupled between the main and one branch of the compound conductor, and the lamps between the main and the other branch of the compound conductor.

13. In an electric'lighting system for cars,

the combination of a generator with a main conductor leading therefrom and a returnconductor connected therewith so as to form a loop, and a compound conductor leading from the other pole, the storage-batteries, and lamps, as required for the cars, said storagebatteries coupled between the return-eonductor and one branch of the compound conductor, and said lamps between the returnconductor and the other branch of the compound conductor.

14-. In an electric-lighting system for cars, the combination of a generator with a main conductor leading from one pole and a compound eonductor leading from the other, consistin g of two branch conductors, one of which contains a variable resistance, and a voltmeter and connections from the main conductor to either of the branch conductors, so as to test the difference of voltage between the main and either of the branch conductors.

15. In an electric-lighting system for cars, the combination of a generator with a main conductor leading from one pole and a compound eonductor leading from the other, and consisting of two branch conductors, one of which eontainsa variable resistance, stora batteries, and lamps, as required for the calthe lights coupled between the main conductor and that branch of the compound conductor containing the variable resistance, and the storage-batteries between the main eonductor and the other branch of the compound conductor."

16. In an electric-lighting system for cars, the combination of a generator with a main conductor leading therefrom, a return-wire connected with such main conductor so as to form a loop, a compound conductor leading from the other pole of the generator having two branches, and a voltmeter and connections, so that such return or main wire may be connected through such voltmeter with either branch of the compound conductor.

17. In an electric-lighting system for cars, the combination of a generator with a main conductor leading therefrom, a return-wire connected with such main conductor so as to form a loop, a compound conductor leading from the other pole of the generator having two branches, and a voltmeter and connections, so that such return or main wire may be connected through such voltmeter with either branch of the compound conductor, and an ampreuneter in each branch of said compound conductor.

18. In an electriedighting system for cars, the combination of a generator with a main conductor leading therefrom, a return-wire connected with such main conductor so as to form a loop, a compound conductor leading from the other pole of the generator and having two branches, and an ampere-meter in each branch of said compound conductor.

19. 111 an electric-lighting system for cars, the combination of a generator with a main conductor leading therefrom, a compound conductor leading from the other pole of the generator having two branches, an amperemeter in each of said branches, means for connectin g the two branches when the generator is disconnect-ed, and storage-batteries and lights coupled between the main and such branch conductors, respectively, so that when the generator is out of circuit and the branch conductors connected the two an'lperc-meters will be coupled in. series with the batteries and lights.

20. In an electric-lighting system for cars, the combination of a generator with a main conductor leading therefrom, a return-wire connected with such main conductor so as to form a loop, a compound conductor leading from the other pole of the generator having two branches, and a voltmeter and connections, so that such return or main wire may be connected through such voltmeter with either branch of the compound conductor, and an ampere-meter in each branch. of said compound conductor, and a variable resistance in one branch thereof.

21. In an electric-lighting system for cars, the combination of a generator with a main conductor leading therefrom, a return-wire connected with such main conductor so as to form a loop, a compound conductor leading from the other pole of the generator having two branches, and an ampere-meter in each branch of such conductor, and a variable resistance in one branch of such compound conductor.

22. In an electric-lighting system :for cars, the combination of a generator with a main conductor leading therefron'l, acompound conductor consisting of two branches leading from the other pole, and switches in the main conductor an d both branches of the compound conductor.

23. In an electric-lighting system. for cars, the combination of the generator with amain conductor leading from one pole thereof, a compound conductor leading from the other pole thereof and composed of two conductors running through the train, a resistance in such compound conductor, so as to secure a difference of potential on the two wires of the compound conductor, and lamps coupled between the main conductor and one branch of the compound, and batteries between the main conductor and the other branch of the compound conductor.

24-. In an electric-lighting system for cars, the combination of the cars with a series of car-conductors leading therealong and hav ing their terminals at each end of each car so arranged as always to occupy the same relative positions to each other when considered as series, as from right to left in a horizontal line, from top to bottom in a vertical line, and the like, and viewed from Without the car.

25. In an electric-lighting system for cars, the combination of a car with a series of conductors therealong, said conductors so arranged that the terminals of some of them have opposite relative positions with reference to the remaining conductor-terminals at each end of the car.

26. In an electric-lighting system for cars, the combination of a generator with a main conductor leading therefrom and a compound conductor leading from the other pole and consisting of two branches, each of which contains an ampere-meter.

27. The combination of a generator with conductors leading therefrom, two or more sets of storage-batteries, and also lamps in multiple arc across such conductors, each set of storage-batteries having each of its cells at all times in series With and therefore subj ected to the same current as every other cell in that set, and each set of storage-batteries having a variable resistance in series with it.

Dated this 28th day of January, 1889.

HARRY W'ARD LEONARD. AUGUSTUS HANSON.

Vitnesses:

FRANcrs W. PARKER, CELESTE P. CHAPMAN. 

